Shopping without dropping. (Getting On Getting Over).MS has limited my vision, mobility, and energy, but not my passion for shopping. Years ago as an interior designer, I shopped for clients; now I window-shop win·dow-shop intr.v. win·dow-shopped, win·dow-shop·ping, win·dow-shops To look at merchandise in store windows or showcases without making purchases. for enjoyment. I call it therapy. Looking in discount stores, luxury boutiques, and food markets always gives me pleasure, even if I buy nothing. Do you view shopping as a pleasure or a pain? Either way, especially since the holiday season is fast approaching, let me share some strategies for getting on with it. My attitude in dealing with MS is to continue doing what I enjoy, even if that means changing how I do it. * Make lists! I keep paper and pens for lists in several locations around the house. I also keep a list of sizes and favorite colors for people on my gift list. * Have a plan. Call ahead to see which store has what you need, and if there are any access barriers you need to know about. * Shop when your energy is high and store traffic is low--usually early morning or late evening. * Take someone along to help you or take a "reacher" to retrieve dropped items or those on a high shelf. * Use catalogs--many phone reps are very knowledgeable about their products. * Hire a student. Call the job office at high schools and colleges. No money in your budget? Call youth groups for volunteers. * Use a personal shopper Personal shopping is a occupation of people who help others shop by giving advice and making suggestions to customers. They are often employed by department stores and boutiques (although some are freelance or work exclusively online). from a private service or offered by a large retail store. * Provide a specific list including second and third choices, if someone else shops for you. And for groceries--always do an in-person adj. 1. undertaken by an individual in person; as, an in-person appearance s>. Adj. 1. in-person - an appearance carried out personally in someone else's physical presence; "he carried out the negotiations in person"; "a run-through run-through n. 1. An uninterrupted rehearsal: did a run-through of act one. 2. A brief outline or summary. Noun 1. to show your shopper how you select fresh produce, meats, and seafood seafood Edible aquatic animals excluding mammals, but including both freshwater and ocean creatures. Seafood includes bony and cartilaginous fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, edible jellyfish, sea turtles, frogs, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. . * Go online if you have Internet access See how to access the Internet. . You can order online, but if you'd rather not, call the 800 number--or buy locally after getting information. * Buy holiday gifts all year long. Spreading it out makes it less taxing on your budget as well as your energy. * Purchase one gift for a whole family instead of individual presents. I've had luck with packages of steaks, tins of popcorn, a bread machine, and gift certificates for video rentals or movie tickets. Happy holiday shopping, all! Joyce Render Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. is a frequent contributor to InsideMS. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion